Elizabeth

Once or twice, she even heard sharp-toed feet scurrying across the floor.

And she remembered in those after days, when she recalled things, that when first she heard them, she started up in bed and sat, trembling.

And when she lay down again, covered her head with the bedclothes,

The change in her life did not come about gradually, but was made all at once.

She must begin as she is to go on, Miss Minchin said to Miss Amelia.

She must be taught at once what she is to expect.

Mariette had left the house the next morning.

The glimpse Sarah caught of her sitting room as she passed its open door showed her that everything had been changed.

Her ornaments and luxuries had been removed, and a bed had been placed in a corner to transform it into a new pupil's bedroom.

When she went down to breakfast, she saw that her seat at Miss Minchin's side was occupied by Lavinia, and Miss Minchin spoke to her coldly.

You will begin your new duties, Sarah, she said, by taking your seat with the younger children at a smaller table.

That was the beginning.

And from day to day, the duties given to her were added to.

She taught the younger children French and heard their other lessons.

And these were the least of her labours.

It was found that she could be made use of in numberless directions.

She could be sent on errands at any time and in all weathers.

She could be told to do things other people neglected.

The cook and housemaids took their tone from Miss Minchin and rather enjoyed ordering about the young one who had been made so much fuss over for so long.

They were not servants of the best class, and had neither good manners nor good tempers, and it was frequently convenient to have at hand someone on whom blame could be laid.